The Ford Barn

eystein · 12-15-2011, 05:18 AM

My generator looks all original and identical to what I see in pictures, except for the brush-end plate. The Brush holders are all different from what I see in drawings and pictures, and no standard repro springs/brushes will fit.

Apart from the end plate, I have found no other deviations to what is described in the JS and other reliable sources.

Can anyone explain ?

My car is May 1930.

700rpm · 12-15-2011, 01:39 PM

It looks like the end plate drawn on p. 2-7 of the JS. though you say you checked it against the JS. Admittedly the drawing doesn't give a lot of detail. Did you see something I'm missing?

eystein · 12-15-2011, 02:51 PM

Well, on the outside I cannot tell any difference from the JS drawings. However, on the inside it is completely different from the photos that I usually see of other peoples generators, as can be seen from the leftmost of my pictures.

eystein · 12-15-2011, 03:07 PM

If you compare my end plate pictured above, to the picture below (taken from another post here on the Barn, you will see that the brush holders are completely different

eystein · 12-16-2011, 04:46 PM

Come on guys!

Nobody ever saw this Generator end plate and can explain why it is different from everything else appearing here ?

Tom Wesenberg · 12-16-2011, 09:29 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

It must be Norwegian.

I've never seen one like it, but it looks like excellent quality.

eystein · 12-17-2011, 07:58 AM

Tom, one could see reasons that that is not far from the truth, as many A's coming up here were assembled at the Copenhagen plant.

However, I was under the impression that all the engines were shipped completely assembled from the Rouge. If one looks at the picture on p 25 of "The Ford model A as Henry Built it" one can see that the engines crated for shipment already had generators mounted.

On the other hand, my engine number belongs to a range from May 1930, which according to Fordgarage.com belongs to a series of numbers transferred to Manchester. So could be possible that the generator was made locally according to Ford drawings, accounting for the fact that it is completely identical to a "normal" generator on the outside, but that Manchester engineers took liberties on some of the inside workings.

I was hoping that Vince might weigh in here, as he seems to have quite a lot of information on foreign production.

I think that the absolutely only difference visible on the outside is that the screws for locking the third brush are on the outside ( which might be handy.

As you say, Tom, the generator seems well built, but my only problem is that when the brushes wear out or when I need new springs, the repo ones will not fit.

Anyway, would be nice to have the "mystery" explained

Tom Wesenberg · 12-17-2011, 10:00 AM

Technically your end plate is the best because the brushes slide straight in, so they are always exactly 90* to the commutator, just like the powerhouse generator, vs. the common end plate where the brushes are screwed to a holder which swings through an arc due to the pivot point.

If you can find brushes that are close but just a little larger, then you can file them to size. The carbon files very easily, or you can use sandpaper and a flat surface to shape the brush.

Many hardware stores have a selection of brushes, so you may find some good carbon brushes with the attached fine wire that goes to the screws on your brush holders. Also try the auto parts stores. Hopefully you can find one with a worker that knows his stuff, and not just how to run the till. You might find something like a 1950 Chevrolet or Studebaker generator brush that fits your brush holder.

Bob C · 12-17-2011, 12:46 PM

Could it be from a GAZ or G28T? Look at the one on Vince's site.
http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/germancompressor.htm

Bob

eystein · 12-18-2011, 02:23 PM

Bob,

It is not like the one in the photos in you link,

It is identical to the "normal" generator on the outside, but different as shown in the picture on the inside.

12-15-2011, 01:39 PM	#2
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 6,039	Re: Help ID Generator rear end plate It looks like the end plate drawn on p. 2-7 of the JS. though you say you checked it against the JS. Admittedly the drawing doesn't give a lot of detail. Did you see something I'm missing? __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

12-15-2011, 02:51 PM	#3
eystein Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 523	Re: Help ID Generator rear end plate Well, on the outside I cannot tell any difference from the JS drawings. However, on the inside it is completely different from the photos that I usually see of other peoples generators, as can be seen from the leftmost of my pictures.

12-16-2011, 04:46 PM	#5
eystein Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 523	Re: Help ID Generator rear end plate Come on guys! Nobody ever saw this Generator end plate and can explain why it is different from everything else appearing here ?

12-16-2011, 09:29 PM	#6
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Help ID Generator rear end plate Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) It must be Norwegian. I've never seen one like it, but it looks like excellent quality.

12-17-2011, 07:58 AM	#7
eystein Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 523	Re: Help ID Generator rear end plate Tom, one could see reasons that that is not far from the truth, as many A's coming up here were assembled at the Copenhagen plant. However, I was under the impression that all the engines were shipped completely assembled from the Rouge. If one looks at the picture on p 25 of "The Ford model A as Henry Built it" one can see that the engines crated for shipment already had generators mounted. On the other hand, my engine number belongs to a range from May 1930, which according to Fordgarage.com belongs to a series of numbers transferred to Manchester. So could be possible that the generator was made locally according to Ford drawings, accounting for the fact that it is completely identical to a "normal" generator on the outside, but that Manchester engineers took liberties on some of the inside workings. I was hoping that Vince might weigh in here, as he seems to have quite a lot of information on foreign production. I think that the absolutely only difference visible on the outside is that the screws for locking the third brush are on the outside ( which might be handy. As you say, Tom, the generator seems well built, but my only problem is that when the brushes wear out or when I need new springs, the repo ones will not fit. Anyway, would be nice to have the "mystery" explained

12-17-2011, 10:00 AM	#8
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Help ID Generator rear end plate Technically your end plate is the best because the brushes slide straight in, so they are always exactly 90* to the commutator, just like the powerhouse generator, vs. the common end plate where the brushes are screwed to a holder which swings through an arc due to the pivot point. If you can find brushes that are close but just a little larger, then you can file them to size. The carbon files very easily, or you can use sandpaper and a flat surface to shape the brush. Many hardware stores have a selection of brushes, so you may find some good carbon brushes with the attached fine wire that goes to the screws on your brush holders. Also try the auto parts stores. Hopefully you can find one with a worker that knows his stuff, and not just how to run the till. You might find something like a 1950 Chevrolet or Studebaker generator brush that fits your brush holder. Last edited by Tom Wesenberg; 12-17-2011 at 08:10 PM.

12-17-2011, 12:46 PM	#9
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 9,360	Re: Help ID Generator rear end plate Could it be from a GAZ or G28T? Look at the one on Vince's site. http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/germancompressor.htm Bob

12-18-2011, 02:23 PM	#10
eystein Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 523	Re: Help ID Generator rear end plate Bob, It is not like the one in the photos in you link, It is identical to the "normal" generator on the outside, but different as shown in the picture on the inside.